Konica S-II

[polaski]

The name is correct. There was a Konica S, a Konica S-II and a Konica S-III. Roman numerals. I got my S-II back in the very early 60's carried home by my uncle from Japan. I've seen very few of these cameras and wonder if anyone knows their history.

Has a good lens and served me well with self-defense in a 1964 anti-war protest (I was taking pictures for the local newspaper.)

 

[Greyscale]

Interesting. I'd never seen one of these before:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jyrkalypse/3321659778/

And information in English is quite scarce. Apparently, they were Konica's first rangefinders with a built-in light meter, and the direct precursor of the Auto S series. The "S" was introduced in 1959, the S II in 1961, and they may have been sold only in Japan. There was also a Konica "J" at about the same time as the "S", which looks like the same camera, but without the light meter.

 

[paulfish4570]

i have an S III, and its hexanon 47/1.9 lens is special ...

 

[btgc]

This were models made between III, IIIA, IIIM and Auto (I, II, III) series, I believe. Simplified construction and materials but Hexanons are everything!

 

[Red Robin]

Found a working Auto S2 in the sale bin at good Willy's w/case under three bucks. Needs new battery. That will likely cost more than the whole kit!

 

[Red Robin]

konica auto s2 . .. ... with built-in hood!

konica auto s2 . .. ... with built-in hood!

Found a working Auto S2 in the sale bin at good Willy's w/case under three bucks. Needs new battery. That will likely cost more than the whole kit!

Got that battery but it's just no use- - -Busted meter ! Hand held to the rescue, I've been using an old DeJUR, seems to work well enough.😀

 

[raid]

I have the I, II, III, IIIM. These all have excellent lenses. The Auto S2 and S3 also have wonderful lenses.